My little Potter

Isn't he so stinkin' cute! Seriously!

But....this poor little guy has to have surgery. Remember last year when he knocked his teeth crooked & his mouth swelled up and stuff? Well, he basically killed the teeth. And since last summer they've just been decaying nad have started breaking off and rotting out. I was hesitant last year to put him through oral surgery, but as his teeth have detoriorated, we've decided that it can't be put off any longer. So on April 4th they're going to go in and dig out all of the decay. If there's enough good root, they can do caps on those four front teeth. If not, well then, he'll be toothless until his permanent teeth grow in.

I'm Looking Forward To...

Getting a NookColor. Don't know exactly when this will happen, but it's on the wish list. I want to read Agatha Christie's entire library in order of publication and since a lot of books and plays are out of print (but available in electronic format) this seems to be the best way to accomplish that. I'll never give up books, I like the tangible things about books. The smell, the feel, being surrounded by them. But there's something to be said for being able to carry around an entire library at my fingertips.

Running the half marathon in SLC on April 16. I had signed up last year, but due to the knee injury I sustained in Myrtle Beach, I couldn't run. It will be fun to actually do it.

Our 9th wedding anniversary (March 12.) Hopefully Travis will be home and we can go to a fancy B&B for the night.

Gideon's 3rd birthday. He's really into the Backyardigans right now, so that will be the theme of is party. Plus for the first time we're not just inviting family for cake & presents, we're going to have a few friends over and play games. I've been having fun putting together goodie bags & prizes.

March Madness (of course!) So my Tarheels have lacked chemistry this year, but make no mistake, even though they're currently ranked 19th in he Top 25, they're still one of the most deeply talented teams in the country. Plus, there are other reasons to watch. Jimmer Freddette (above) for one. He's last year's Gordon Hayward, only with a way more fun name!

Spring! I'm so tired of ice and wind and snow. I'm ready for warm weather. And to be able to take my kids outside and play in the sunshine. It's hard living here this time of year! Serious cabin fever! Plus, I miss my tulips!

The baby showers I get to throw this summer for Jesse & Ashlynn. (I love planning parties!) And the new babies we get to add to the family in September!

Deja Vu

So here we are again. We spent a wonderful week at home, during which time, Travis got a call about going back to work, at least for 2-3 weeks. (It's not much, but after a two month layoff, you take what you can get.) Amidst the stress and worry of getting him packed & ready to go, Princess Parker started to sound congested again. Wednesday was bad and that night was AWFUL!!!!!!! By Thursday morning it was obvious that she was having trouble breathing so I called the doctor's office as soon as they opened & they were able to squeeze us in 45 minutes later.

Long story short, he said he hated to do this to us, but she needed to go back to the hospital at least for overnight. He hoped she'd only have to stay a day or two this time, but until they could get her breathing without working so hard, he didn't feel comfortable sending her home. So we came back to the hospital. So far it's been about the same. It's just been a little more of a juggling act with Travis gone this time. Fortunately, she's experienced a quicker turnaround this time. She's off oxygen already today and if she can stay off all night, we can go home tomorrow. YAY!

In other news, so we found out a couple of weeks ago that my sister Jesse is expecting her first child on September 7. We're all super excited for she and Kelly. And then my sister Cami informed us today that she's pregnant with number 3 due September 8. So now we only need my remaining 3 sisters to get pregnant this year and my parents could add 5 new grandbabies. Hey, it could happen.

My New Mantra

I've always been a big believer that having a positive attitude can affect everything in your life. Moreover I love being surrounded by positive and uplifting sayings and quotes because I've seen in my own life how repeating positive phrases to yourself can not only affect mood, but also an entire situation.

A couple of months ago Runner's World magazine ran a story about developing a mantra to use during races (and even in life) when things get tough. I've thought about this a lot over the last weeks trying to develop a mantra that would fit every aspect of my life. I could think of great words like "Powerful" and "Strong" but I couldn't seem to weave those into a short saying that seemed to fit me. I guess the trouble is that I have a lot of confidence and I already know I'm powerful and strong and capable so repeating those words just seems empty and even trite.

It wasn't until this last week that I came across an old WWII poster issued by the British government that I found my perfect mantra.

I now have a bookmark with this phrase on it and have doodled it at least a dozen times in notebooks, on letters and in txt messages to friends. I even shared it with the nurse in pediatrics before we left.

It applies perfectly to me for several reasons 1. I tend to be a little bit high strung, so a reminder to stay calm is always appropriate. 2. Because I have a lot of confidence I don't need to be reminded that I'm strong or powerful, I just need to be reminded that I'm already doing what I need to be doing, I simply need to keep going. 3. It's short enough that it's not easily forgotten. 4. It applies to any situation, weather I'm dealing with an out of work husband and two sick children or I'm hitting the wall at mile 18 of a marathon. I simply need to remind myself to "Keep Calm and Carry On" and suddenly it's like I've hit the reset button. I take a deep breath to stay calm and reconsider what I'm doing and why I'm doing it.

It may sound simple and very cheesy, but I swear it's helped me get through the last few days. And now that we're back home trying to keep kids healthy and sink back into real life, I find myself repeating those words over and over again, "Keep calm and carry on" as I deal with a fussy baby, a mountain of laundry, stress over the job and bills, an active 2 year old, my jobs at church and a million and other things. And it helps. It always helps. It might not work for everyone, but at least I've found a mantra that works for me.